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Monday, January 29, 2007

Coupled with Oregon's OT win on Saturday over Wazoo and UCLA's loss yesterday to Stanford, the Ducks moved into a tie for first place in the Pac-10 with UCLA.

This week looms larger than ever for Oregon who can move into sole possession of 1st place in the conference with a sweep in Los Angeles.

After the LA trip, the schedule favors the Ducks who will be home for 5 out of their 7 remaining games. The home games will include the Arizona teams, Washington teams and the Beavers. One last road trip to the Bay area happens the week of Feb.15-17.

Will it be destiny or disappointment for Oregon this year? One thing is for sure, it'll be exciting.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Given new life in the last second of regulation, Oregon took control quickly in overtime Saturday night and went on to beat Washington State, 77-74.

The Ducks came back from nine down in the second half to force overtime on Maarty Leunen’s two free throws in the final second.

In overtime, the Ducks scored the first eight points, on a drive by Brooks and three-pointers by Tajuan Porter and Leunen to lead 72-64 when WSU called a timeout. That only led to Brooks intercepting a WSU pass and going solo the basket off the steal for a 10-point lead for the Ducks.

Brooks, back in the lineup after being suspended for Oregon’s loss at Washington, led the Ducks with 31 points.

It won't get easier as Oregon will travel to LA next week to take on UCLA Thursday ( 5 pm-FSN) and USC Saturday (12:30 pm-TBA).

Bryce Taylor scored 19 points to lead Oregon (18-2, 6-2), which was playing without suspended Aaron Brooks. The conference's scoring leader, averaging 18.4 points per game, sat out as his final penalty for elbowing Appleby in the face during a Pac-10 tournament game last March.

The Pac-10 suspended him for the conference semifinal game. Oregon then suspended the Seattle native for this season's opener and Thursday's first of two meetings against Washington.

It won't get any easier for the Ducks on Saturday when they visit the Cougs in Pullman, even with Brooks. They will have to improve on the boards and play better "D" if they expect to leave the Evergreen state with a split.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The Aaron Brooks show continued Saturday night at Mac Court. While he was held to just 2 points in the first half, he lit it up in the second half scoring 20.

"The last couple of years, you haven't seen the real Aaron Brooks," said Malik Hairston, who added 19 points for the Ducks. "This is the real Aaron Brooks. He's a dominant player. He makes big shots and has a passion for the game."

Tajuan Porter had 15 points for the Ducks.

"We are playing in harmony this year," said Oregon coach Ernie Kent, who has his team off to its best start in 80 years. "Everyone knows that they can share the ball and still get their own numbers."

The Ducks were down 46-38 at the end of the first half. Coming out in the second half, Oregon clamped down on defense which led to their comeback. They never trailed after the 11 minute mark.

The Ducks are fun to watch again and this team has finally come together to show what they are capable of. Brooks is leading this team in more ways than one. He has finally realized that it takes a "team effort" to win games, not just a one man show.

Next week the Ducks travel north as they take on the Huskies on Thursday (8pm - FSN) and the Cougars on Saturday (7pm - FSN).

Friday, January 19, 2007

Aaron Brooks had a double-double last night, 19 points and a career high 10 rebounds, as the 9th ranked Ducks beat the Cardinal at Mac Court.

Tajuan Porter added 15 points and Bryce Taylor scored 14 for the Ducks (17-1, 5-1), who are off to their best start in 80 years and got there despite shooting a season-low 29 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.

"Our free-throw shooting saved us tonight," said Ducks coach Ernie Kent, who moved into second place on Oregon's all-time coaching win list with 181.

Oregon will host the Cal Bears on Saturday. TV coverage is on OSN (channel 9 locally) at 5 pm.

Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton is leaving the Ducks to take a similar position at Louisiana State, he told The Register-Guard on Monday.

"I accepted the job there and I’m going to head out tomorrow,” Crowton said.

Crowton will replace Jimbo Fisher at LSU, after Fisher was named offensive coordinator at Florida State on Jan. 8.

UO coach Mike Bellotti, reached by phone Monday night while out of town on a recruiting trip, had no comment when informed Crowton had confirmed the move publicly.

Louisiana State went 11-2 this past season and finished No. 3 in the nation after winning the Sugar Bowl earlier this month, while Oregon went 7-6 with a loss in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2006.

Crowton spent two seasons at Oregon in which the Ducks moved to the spread formation and finished among the national leaders in total offense both years, though the team’s point production dropped off from 2005 to 2006.

Who will replace Crowton and what type of offense will the Ducks employ next year? It will be interesting to see who Oregon recruits to fill the vacancy. Original story at the Register Guard online.

Brooks took control of the game with 3 minutes left and the Ducks trailing by 5. The defense allowed no points in those closing minutes. Bryce Taylor made 2 free throws with 2:40 left and then Brooks nailed a 3-pointer to tie it 77 with 1:50 to play.

This team has fought adversity in the last couple of seasons to get where they are today. Poised, confident and playing with a selfless style that has them with more wins than they got all last season.

Friday, January 12, 2007

The 15th ranked Ducks prevailed in a slug-paced road game last night at Tempe. Aaron Brooks scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half, including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 3.6 seconds to play, and the Ducks escaped with a 60-55 victory.

Bryce Taylor also scored 16 for Oregon, 12 in the first half. Malik Hairston, back after missing five games with a foot injury, scored 13 for the Ducks, who play at No. 10 Arizona on Sunday night (5pm - FSN).

Saturday, January 06, 2007

The #16 Ducks held off the #1 Bruins today at Mac Court and man what a thrill ride it was.

Aaron Brooks (pictured) led all scorers with 25 points, including the game winner with 13 seconds left. Maarty Leunen had 18 points followed by Bryce Taylor with 11.

Oregon led by 10 at the half and held a comfortable lead for all of the second half until the last 3 minutes when UCLA closed the gap.

UCLA worked the ball around over the final seconds and instead of going toward the basket for a chance at tying it, Josh Shipp's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was short, setting off a wild celebration at McArthur Court.

This game had it all for the Ducks. Fantastic offensive plays followed by tenacious defense and the game wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Oregon needed one more win to set up an undefeated showdown with No. 1 UCLA on Saturday. Southern California didn't let the 16th-ranked Ducks get it.

Aaron Brooks scored 31 points for the Ducks (13-1, 1-1), who made 11 3-pointers and committed just four turnovers. But Brooks missed a chance to tie the game with 1.4 seconds left when he was fouled taking a desperation 3-point attempt. He went to the line for three free throws and Oregon down 84-81.

Brooks swished his first attempt, missed the second, then intentionally missed the third. The loose ball was picked up by Oregon's Chamberlain Oguchi, but he couldn't get a shot off before time expired.

"When you allow the other team to shoot 63 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3-point territory in a single half, that was the difference in the game," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "We've got to get back to playing tougher defense because everyone at this level in the Pac-10 is a good team."

Hopefully the Ducks can rebound and give UCLA a run for their money on Saturday.GO DUCKS!